A MUM today told an inquest her desperate pleas for help were reportedly ignored by midwives as she gave birth to a tragic baby boy.
Robyn Davis, who is a trained midwife herself, had opted for a home birth but was transferred to Worthing Hospital when complications arose.
Baby Orlando died just 14 days after he was born at Worthing HospitalSolent
Mum Robyn claims she was ignored by midwivesSolent
The mum underwent an emergency Caesarean to deliver baby Orlando, while Robyn was placed in an induced coma.
Tragically, the baby died 14 days later on September 24, 2021, after suffering a brain injury when he was starved of oxygen at birth.
Robyn, 28, today spoke of her heartache as an inquest began into little Orlando’s death.
She said she felt she was not listened to by midwives as she raised concerns about her fluid intake and the position of the baby.
The mum said: “I proceeded to keep saying ‘Something is wrong’. It felt like I was trapped, that, although I knew I was declining so rapidly, I was unable to think how I could help myself, such as asking to go to hospital.
“Every time I said something was wrong the midwives never investigated this further.”
As she was eventually rushed to hospital, Robyn began to suffer seizures and was placed in the induced coma.
When she came around, she was told her son was seriously ill.
Robyn said: “I could not stop crying and having panic attacks. I could not understand that Orlando was this catastrophically ill that he was going to die.
“I can’t explain the sadness, frustration, anger and complete heartbreak I felt and still feel towards the Trust for not keeping us safe.
“As a parent I can’t explain how horrendous hearing that news that it’s in your child’s best interest to die; to also be faced with agreeing to end your child’s life is the biggest scar you can ever imagine.”
This is agony to live with. This is because I can’t help but relive the moments of constantly expressing something wasn’t right during labour multiple times.
Mum Robyn Davis
The mum said she is “haunted psychologically” after watching her son die and said her life is “ruined” as a result.
She also explained she is unable to process how her “healthy, full-term” baby was able to die and believes his death was “completely unpreventable”.
Robyn is now scared to leave the house as seeing young boys is “triggering” for her.
She added: “This is agony to live with. This is because I can’t help but relive the moments of constantly expressing something wasn’t right during labour multiple times.
“It is also a sickening feeling that no-one picked up on how poorly I was for hours and hours despite expressing it.”
Lawyers for the couple, who have two other children, claim there was “a basic lack of safe maternity care” provided for Orlando and his mum.
They also told the hearing both Robyn and Orlando’s dad Jonny Davis have been diagnosed with PTSD “as a result of their horrendous experience”.
Chief nurse Maggie Davies, of the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said ahead of the hearing: “We wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to Orlando’s family at this hugely difficult time.
“We will be doing all we can to assist the coroner and the family to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of their baby boy.”
The inquest in Chichester continues.
Orlando was starved of oxygen at birthSolent
The baby tragically died 14 days laterSolent